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Had a great day Sunday, May 7th for the annual Midwest Highland Cattle Association Meeting. Dr. Jen Roberts, from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine joined us for the day and gave a fascinating education demonstration on reproductive ultrasound on a number of open and pregnant cows. With two handheld ultrasound screens she pointed out the many advantages of ultrasound for pregnancy detection as well as its use in detecting problems with reproduction.

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In addition to a lot of good food and drink, Skyler Anderson generously escorted a group of kids and adults back to the remains of the old apple orchard on the property for some heavy duty mushroom hunting. Success was to be had. The morels were thick this year.

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A brief business meeting was conducted late afternoon, with the election of some new faces to our Board of Directors and the adoption of some changes to our by-laws.

Another September come and gone; the Centreville Fair was another successful showing for the Midwest Highland Cattle Association. It is a shame that more farms do not participate in this wonderful agricultural fair. The number of people passing through the barns is truly amazing and those breeders that do take the time and effort to highlight our breed do so for every breeder of Highland cattle, not just themselves.

We had great weather, if a little warm, great food and great camaraderie. Complete results can be found here.

It was an incredibly busy and hectic time for the Labor Day Weekend at the Michigan State Fair in Novi Michigan. It is truly unbelievable how many people (with loud, screaming children and strollers that nonchalantly park themselves directly in the path of cattle on the way to the show ring or the wash rack) visit this new revival of the original State Fair in Detroit. What a time to be had. The facilities are great, with the entire show, stalling and staying (the Hyatt Place is directly attached) taking place indoors in air-conditioned comfort. Once you arrive, you don't have to leave the building until you load up and head for home. We had a great showing again, with results posted here and more photos here.

Sorry it has been so long to finally post some information about the busy show season for some of us. We had 3 successful shows in various parts of the state this late summer, starting with the UP State Fair in Escanaba, Michigan. Three of our diligent members took a few of their Highlands to our gorgeous upper peninsula in mid-August and represented our great breed. Because in the past there have been insufficient numbers of Highlands to warrant our own classes, they were shown in the All Other Breeds Classes, to some resounding successes.

You aren't likely to find yourself being soaked by a showmanship judge armed with a squirt gun anywhere except Cow Camp. This year’s MWHCA Cow Camp was held at Maple Hill Highlands, and brought together 14 juniors and 12 animals from Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, and Minnesota.

At Cow Camp this year we had the opportunity to learn about reproduction from Dr. Todd Miller, a local vet. As cow camp kicked off we got to watch an embryo transfer. Later in the week, Dr. Miller came back to artificially inseminate three cows and teach us how to AI. He explained it step by step, and then we were given the chance to try it ourselves on a a reproductive tract that was saved from a cow that had been butchered.

Dr. Bowman, a professor of parasitology at Cornell University came and taught us how to look at manure samples for signs of a worm infection and how to identify worm eggs under the microscope. Each junior had the chance to check their animal’s sample and then we went through and discussed the findings and what factors affected the concentration of worm eggs in the sample such as environment and time since deworming.

We were honored to have Ginny Miller come to Michigan to teach us as well. She discussed parts of the animal and how to read medication labels with us and then lead a showmanship session. During the showmanship session, she had us pair up and switch off pretending to be the calf while she taught us how to switch hands on a halter when stopping, and how to walk our animals into place. While participating in mock showmanship classes later that day, we switched animals and were asked to identify parts and estimate weights. We all learned a lot about how to present our animals in the best way possible, even though many of us ended the class in water soaked clothes as a result of being sprayed with a squirt gun if we made as mistake while showing.

Additionally, we had the privilege to learn about animal chiropractics and acupuncture from Dr. Ashley Miller. She explained why the practices are useful on large animals such as horses and cattle, and then demonstrated by making adjustments on a highland cow to free up movement in her neck, and then followed it with some acupuncture in the loin area.

When we weren't busy learning in educational sessions, we were busy learning how to pan for gold and make lead ropes, walking calves through an obstacle course, playing pictionary, having water fights, swimming, and having campfires. We had an amazing time at cow camp making new friends and meeting new people, and came out of the experience with closer bonds with our animals and tons of new knowledge. Thank you to Chris and Dawn Manthei for hosting the 6th annual Cow Camp. We are already looking forward to next year!

The Midwest Highland Cattle Association (MWHCA) held its annual meeting at Skye High Farms, hosted by Skyler Anderson and his parents, Marion Belding and Jim Anderson. There was an excellent turnout of about 60 people, including members and potential members. We had participants from Ohio, Indiana. Pennsylvania and Michigan! The person driving the farthest was actually from Michigan, Steve Palosaari (MWHCA Secretary), who lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 560 miles from Coldwater, MI! Two farms joined the MWHCA at the meeting! Despite early snow flurries, and gusty winds, everyone had a good time and enjoyed lots of great food including 100% Highland Beef Sweet Italian Brats, supplied by McLaughlin Farm.

The event included several educational opportunities, including a presentation by Pat White explaining the value of having registered Highland Cattle. Pat also did a demonstration concerning how to give proper injections and handling techniques. Rick Millimen did a hoof trimming demonstration, using a hoof trimming chute that he and Eddie Mackay built. This exhibition was very interesting. The McLaughlin’s brought their beef sales trailer which they use at farm markets and spoke with interested members about their Highland Beef marketing business. Throughout the day the attendees were able to participate in pasture tours and hayrides led by Skyler.

One of the highlights of the event was the honoring of long time MWHCA member, Eddie Mackay. Eddie is a past President of the MWHCA and of the American Highland Cattle Association (AHCA) and is member of AHCA’s Hall of Fame. The MWHCA commissioned a new logo which incorporated the Modern Mackay Tartan into its logo. Eddie was presented with a shirt and hat with the logo, and a new banner Association banner was unveiled which will be used at various events, including shows. All members that attended the picnic also received a hat!

A short business meeting was also held, immediately after lunch, at which time two new board members were elected: Kelly Cheatwood and Pat White. Pat is known to many in the Highland Cattle world. Newcomer Kelly Cheatwood from New Carlisle, Ohio (west of Columbus, OH) also joined the board. Kelly is a relative newcomer to Highland Cattle, having started a small herd with her brother Ryan Howard. Kelly and her husband Eric manage the cattle as Ryan is on active duty in the US Coast Guard. Kelly and her 5 year old niece enjoy the cattle and hope to show. Kelly is a Public Safety Specialist (dispatcher) with the City of Vandalia. Eric is a fire fighter and paramedic, and is working on a Master’s degree in biomedical engineering. Kelly showed rabbits and cattle during her 12 years in 4-H. She was most familiar with Simmental and Angus, but she says she is getting used to Highlands and their horns! We are looking for others from Ohio and Indiana to get more involved with the MWHCA and help us promote Highland Cattle throughout our region.

The MWHCA is making plans for 6th Annual Cow Camp, to be held on July 8-10, 2016 at Chris and Dawn Manthei’s Maple Hill Highlands in Stanwood, Michigan Cow Camp has proven to be a great experience for all the people involved, including the kids! All kids participate with a parent or guardian, the youngest was 4 years old, there is no upper age limit. This year a picnic will be held on Saturday, July 9th which is open to all MWHCA members! Everyone is encourage to attend, including adults wishing to learn more about handling their cattle as well as showmanship. All attendees are asked to bring a passing dish. It should be fun participating or simply watching the kids! This is a great opportunity for those that have never shown cattle to get instruction on showmanship prior to the Association’s two shows, which are both in September. See the MWHCA web site for more details and the application for Cow Camp 2016.http://www.midwesthighlands.org

The MWHCA will once again sponsor an AHCA point show, the MASH on September 3, 2016 in conjunction with the Michigan State Fair. The fair is held in Novi, Michigan at the Suburban Collection Showcase and runs from Thursday, September 1-through Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2016. MWHCA participated in the State Fair in 2015 for the first time and everyone that attended (both as exhibitors and as attendees) thought it was a great venue. Thousands of people pass through the barns and watch the shows going on in the various arenas. One highlight for the cattle and their handlers, is that the arena is air-conditioned! It is hoped that by 2017 the venue will be expanded with a new arena and then MWHCA can increase the number of animals to be shown.

The Centreville show (St. Joseph County Grange Fair) is held 2 weeks later from September 18th through the 24th. This is a wonderful county fair, with lots to do and see. Highland cattle are very well received at this fair, and last year had the most animals and exhibitors of any breed. It is a good venue for newcomers to show as well! It is expected that the MWHCA will have a potluck dinner the evening of the show. Because animals are required to stay on the premises for the entire week, the MWHCA arranges for a small team workers to take care of animals during the week so their owners do not have to devote the entire week to the fair.

In summation, we are looking forward to an active summer in the Midwest region. We have a “travel team” of volunteers (people and cattle) willing to bring educational programming to your area! We know that there are growing pockets of Highland owners in central and western Ohio, as well as in Indiana. You are encouraged to help us promote Highland Cattle in your area by hosting a picnic, or arranging for a faculty (perhaps a fairground) where another picnic can take place.

The sale was also a resounding success for Midwest members with top sellers going out from Dundonald Highlands, LEA-White Farms, Shat-Acres Highlands, Skye High Farms, Snowland Livestock and Windemere Farm.

Shat Acres Raisin Cain, bred and owned by Shat Acres Farms in Vermont, was High Selling Bull, while Windemere Blossom, bred and owned by Windemere Farm became the High Selling Female.

Another great Midwest Show just finished up at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair in Centreville Michigan the week of September 20-27th. Again, we had a great representative showing of some of the exceptional cattle the Midwest produces. The weather was incredible, a little hot for all the beasts (human and cattle alike) during the day, but cool and comfortable at night. The Midwest crew that waters, feeds and cleans up did a tremendous job keeping up appearances. As always the fair food is great and Rick’s pig and lamb roast on show day was delicious as usual.

The Michigan State Fair at Novi over Labor Day Weekend was a resounding success. Supported by loyal Midwest Members an outstanding representation of the Highland breed was on display for countless fair goers. This was such an improvement over our experience at The North American in Louisville, that it is difficult to even compare the two. Enthusiastic and excited members of the public along with an equally enthusiastic group of cattlemen showing other beef breeds demonstrated the camaraderie that should be present at every cattle event. We were well liked and well represented. The Midwest has every reason so be proud of the quality of Highland cattle we produce and put on display.

We had a splendid 4 day event in air conditioned comfort; a tremendous advantage for man and beast as the outside heat index soared into the mid 90’s. The beef superintendent had concerns that we would be unhappy with the facilities as the fair is a work in progress, but the general opinion from participants seemed to be that the facilities were perhaps some of the finest we have had the pleasure to use. Granted, at present time there is limited space for livestock but it is anticipated that that will be alleviated by 2017. Well worth the wait.

We showed on Saturday and then had a great evening banquet on Sunday night. The food was exceptional, as was the company. Generous donors allowed for substantial monetary awards for the Grand and Reserve Grand pairs, as well as lucrative silent and live auctions, thanks to our unknown comic and auctioneer Steve Palosaari of Snowland Livestock.

Bessheen Baker put together a slideshow presentation from moments at the fair for our enjoyment at the banquet, and those photos are reproduced in our photo gallery here.

The big winners of the evening included Skyler Anderson, of Skye High Farms in Coldwater Michigan. He brought out the Grand Champion Bull, (Skye High Darwin Finch) Grand Champion Heifer (Skye High Claudette) and the Grand Champion Cow with calf at side (Skye High Yellow Bird, who had already proven herself in the show ring as the Grand Champion Heifer at the 2013 Midwest International in Louisville and her calf at side was to be the Grand Champion Bull here.)

The Reserve Grand Champions proved to be a little more diverse, with Reserve Grand Champion Bull (Basswood 4 of Dundonald) going to Eddie MacKay of Dundonald Farm, Reserve Grand Champion Heifer going to Steve Palosaari of Snowland Livestock (Snowland First Lady) and Reserve Grand Champion Cow with calf going to Pat White of LEA-White Farms (Skye High Uganda with LEA Livvy at side)

Rounding out the awards were presentations for Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder. There was a tie for Premier Exhibitor between Skye High Farms and Dundonald Farm, but Skyler Anderson squeaked out a win for Premier Breeder due to the Reserve Grand Champion Cow being Skye High breeding, which upped his number by a single point.

Special Thanks to: Richard Muntz, John McLaughlin and Marion Belding for their expertise in helping us run a smooth show. Also thanks to Kalmbach Feeds for providing first bedding for all the cattle at the Michigan State Fair.

Thanks again to all the other generous sponsors who helped to support this first showing of Highland cattle the the State Fair.

For those of you who didn't attend, the annual General Membership Meeting of the American Highland Cattle Association, you missed an educational and memorable conference. Gifted speakers and incredibly beautiful surroundings made for a top-notch meeting. Visits to Trafalgar Square Farm in North Pomfret, Vermont, and Star Lake Farm in Georges Mills, New Hampshire, were the definite high points of the meeting.

Then to round out the events, our own Eddie MacKay, of Dundonald Farm, Three Rivers Michigan was inducted into the Highland Hall of Fame. The complete write-up will be published in the fall edition of the Bagpipe and will be reproduced here as well. John Foster, of East Corinth, Vermont, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously.